The Alas-No-More-Atlas Bought/Thought Thread for October 6 - SPOILERS!!!

[Phaedrus45]

Young Allies #5

What is it about the Marvel heroes that just make some writers do a better job than with those at DC?? I loved McKeever before he left for DC...but, nothing there really captured my interest. Now, he's back in top form with this title!

This issue ends the Bastards Of Evil storyline with tons of action. The only thing missing was the origin of the Son Of The Leader. And, this is a pretty good team line-up. Each of these characters, except newbie Toro, has been rather ignored for quite some time; and, they work well together in a group. It's not just a random grouping, either. It makes sense that they'd work together.

Sweet Tooth #14

This is my favorite Vertigo title...and, things are finally starting to pick back up again. Mr. Jeppard makes an uneasy alliance with a rough bunch of folks, in order to take down the militia that has Sweet Tooth; but, Sweet Tooth already gets the chance to escape that prison before help can come.

I hate that each issue feels like it's over before it even begins; but, Lemire keeps me on the edge of my seat, begging for more.

Secret Six #26

This is really a title that I could drop tomorrow and not really miss; but, I like Gail Simone and do feel a certain obligation to support those titles she writes. I feel she was unjustly taken off of Wonder Woman, and something far less superior was put in it's place. In my mind, I would love for her to go back to Marvel and get a chance to use her talents elsewhere.

That said, this is another decent issue. The best part of the book is when the members of this group are interacting with one another, which also makes the conclusion of this issue that much bigger of an impact. What fails is that there are too many characters infesting this storyline. I do love that Grell's recently-cancelled Warlord gets a small continuation in this book, and I think Simone could do wonders with those characters. (Grell is one of those writers, who after meeting, I feel little or no obligation to buy his books. He was a bit of a grump.)

Official Index To The Marvel Universe: Avengers, Thor & Captain America #6

Presenting an issue by issue recap of Avengers #182-218 (including the first appearance of Taskmaster!), Captain America Comics (from 1943) #22-26, Captain America #248-273, and Thor #278-313. I love these comics. Not only do they give you a synopsis of every issue, you can find such trivial information, like where Taskmaster appeared after his first apperance in Avengers.

Marvelman: Family's Finest #4

More black and white reprints of Marvelman's greatest adventures from the mid-50's. Sadly, the stories aren't very good...and, if these are some of his greatest adventures, I'd hate to see the bad ones. This book is only for those with a great interest in Marvelman's history...of which I am not. Really, the first issue was enough for me; but, as I'm a Marvel completionist, I keep getting the subsequent issues.

Enslaved: Odyssey To The West Free-Comic

Based on some game that's suppose to come out...or has come out...this free prequel to it wasn't that bad. We get almost no characterization; but, what the reader does get is a whole lot of action, as the main two characters try to escape a doomed, exploding spacecraft. Usually, comics based on video games aren't at all interesting; but, this actually made me think I might have to take a glace at the game when it eventually comes out. Hell, and it's a free comic!

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

It's a shame when my shop doesn't get in the only book they actually carry that I'm in. Ah well.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Your shop didn't get in Wolverine, I take it you're saying? I ended up getting three issues of that one. (Two variants. I could save a lot more money if I'd just get one of every issue.)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer #37

Just END ALREADY!!! Joss Whedon returns to write the final story in Season 8 of Buffy...and, so far, I'm thinking it's the worst of the whole bunch.

Let me see if I get this straight. Demons are threatening to destroy the universe, because below Buffy's hometown is a type of "cork," that if removed, will remove the "seed" that keeps the world as we know it together. If the seed is removed, everyone dies, and a new universe is created...something called Twilight...or Twilight wants the new universe...not quite sure which that is. Either way, this is a terrible storyline, and once it's finished, I'm finished with Buffy. (Well, I'll get the first issue of the next series, just to have it in my collection...but, that's it! Well...unless that first issue peeks my interest.)

Lone Ranger #24

One more issue, then I drop this title, too. It's been a bit painful to read, as Matthews has dragged out this storyline for 24 issues. We're promised a conclusion next issue, as the man who murdered the Lone Ranger's father and brother is found. (The confession scene has been done a bit too many times, too. I groaned at that.) Worst of all was the scenes involving Tonto visiting his old tribe.

28 Days Later #15

The character development is nowhere as good as with Walking Dead; but, this comic delivers much more action. The remaining two characters get captured, and they must talk their way out of being killed for stealing The King's booze. Problem is the main gal character has a mouth on her, and she tends to make things worse than they are.

Not a great issue..but, still a fun read.

The Boys #47

This is the official "break-up" issue. Hughie confronts his girlfriend about her giving oral to the members of the Seven; and, let's just say that it could have gone better. Most shocking of all is the end scene featuring the Mullers, a family that wins the big prize at the end of the Believe Convention.

This issue is also the point of which Hughie's miniseries spins off of. I think it would have been better to wait a few months and have it happen after the events of this issue, as Hughie leaving for a break has been given away for a while now.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

No, the Official Index. Ya know, the book which I help write every month?

 

[Phaedrus45]

No, the Official Index. Ya know, the book which I help write every month?

What?? I didn't know you helped to write that!!!

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

I've mentioned it before. Unless yer being sarcastic, in which case gotta tell ya I'm a li'l on the frazzled side getting ready fer NYCC so it's gonna be over my head till Monday.

 

[Dread]

No, the Official Index. Ya know, the book which I help write every month?

That is beyond cool.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Chaos War got off to a great start. I'm tired so I'll be quick: I liked that Thor talked Herc down from his craziness and that, in spite of the power boost, Herc is still basically Herc. Not really a whole lot of substance to this issue, naturally, besides Mikaboshi killing Nightmare (who I'm sure will be back in no time 'cause he's too fun a character to get rid of). It seems that Mikaboshi takes over the realms of those he kills, hence his ability to now attack the mortal heroes via their dreams. I wonder if that plays into all the dead heroes coming back later on--Pluto and Mephisto better watch their backs. I also liked that, despite the higher profile of this event, Pak and Van Lente are still basically approaching it like a continuation of iHerc, complete with the silly sound effects.

The whole art team kicked monstrous ass on this first issue, too. Pham's pencils have a slightly rough, sketchy quality to them that I tend to see more in indie books, but it works really well in conjunction with Palmer's inks and Gho's beautiful, watercolorish coloring. Lovely stuff.

 

[Phaedrus45]

I've mentioned it before. Unless yer being sarcastic, in which case gotta tell ya I'm a li'l on the frazzled side getting ready fer NYCC so it's gonna be over my head till Monday.

No, I never noticed. I knew you were one of the few people on here who knew what was going on with the title; but, now I guess I know why!!! Awesome Possum, Wolverine25th!

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Thor: For Asgard's third issue was a bit of a mixed bag. It was good overall and continues a lot of the themes I'm really appreciating in the story, portraying Asgard as less of a utopian "heaven" and more of a real society with strife both internal and external. Two parts of it in particular confused me, though:

1) Thor's dream at the beginning. Balder seemed to imply that becoming regent somehow robbed him of his worthiness to wield Mjolnir. That makes no sense to me because Odin wielded it just fine as leader of Asgard and Thor himself wields it as king during both Jurgens and JMS' runs. So I'm thinking it's more of a metaphor: Thor becoming regent and maintaining order forces him to do things that prohibit him from being the stalwart hero Mjolnir requires--things like plowing through the giants' women and children to get to them at the beginning of the first issue. We've seen how morally questionable acts can take away a normally worthy character's ability to wield Mjolnir and Stormbreaker at various points, so I think it's the fact that Thor no longer has the luxury of moral superiority when weighing his decisions against the safety of his subjects that's keeping Mjolnir from him.

2) Odin raped Gaea? That's new. But again, I think it may turn out to be metaphorical. Maybe Gaea looks at how Odin is keeping Thor primarily in Asgard and withdrawing the gods from Earth as some kind of abandonment, like he used her for a special child and then left. We literally only get the "you raped me" line in this issue, though, so we'll have to wait and see how Rodi expands on that scene later on.

Otherwise, great stuff. Sucks that Heimdall died, but that's nothing new with the gods. I wonder if that'll escalate things between Thor and the splinter groups opposing him in Asgard. The old man is obviously Loki, but I like that Rodi has him spouting some genuinely sensible political rhetoric. Magnifying the existing fears and mistrust of the people is the oldest ploy in the political handbook and Rodi has Loki doing it masterfully here.

Bianchi's art is once again quite lovely. There's a really cool page where he has the silhouette of the old man/Loki forming the borders of two other panels, which I thought was really innovative. It unfortunately left a lot of white space above those panels, but the effect was still interesting if not perfectly executed. The only nitpick I would level at Bianchi is that he seems to love banana hammocks a bit too much. There's a scene early on of Thor slouching on his throne where his striped speedo is really thrust out there, and it looks pretty goofy.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Curses!!! This was suppose to be a nice "No Atlas" week...and, they up and appear in two panels of Chaos War!!! They're like cockroaches!

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Haha, I loved it. Technically, Bob's supposed to have his alien face on all the time now, but I'll excuse that.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Chaos War got off to a great start. I'm tired so I'll be quick: I liked that Thor talked Herc down from his craziness and that, in spite of the power boost, Herc is still basically Herc. Not really a whole lot of substance to this issue, naturally, besides Mikaboshi killing Nightmare (who I'm sure will be back in no time 'cause he's too fun a character to get rid of). It seems that Mikaboshi takes over the realms of those he kills, hence his ability to now attack the mortal heroes via their dreams. I wonder if that plays into all the dead heroes coming back later on--Pluto and Mephisto better watch their backs. I also liked that, despite the higher profile of this event, Pak and Van Lente are still basically approaching it like a continuation of iHerc, complete with the silly sound effects.

The whole art team kicked monstrous ass on this first issue, too. Pham's pencils have a slightly rough, sketchy quality to them that I tend to see more in indie books, but it works really well in conjunction with Palmer's inks and Gho's beautiful, watercolorish coloring. Lovely stuff.

I agree. Good first issue, but as you point out, "not a whole lot of substance." They bill this as bigger than Annihilation and Infinity Gauntlet; but, after one issue, that really seems to be more hype than reality. Both of those events really sucked me in from the first issue..this just made me think, "Eh...that was mildly entertaining." (Also, even though Herc's been holding his own, I guess...I just don't see him as interesting enough to be a central figure in comics. If I had to be more selective in my Marvel comic buying, Herc would be one I'd probably drop.)

DeadpoolMax #1

My anticipation for this title probably helped my disappointment of what I read. Sure, as Deadpool goes, it's not terrible; but, the book also doesn't do much to expand on the Deadpool we know and love...or tire of and despise. I did NOT like the art in this book; but, did like how the book was told from Bob's perspective.

For those wanting the greatness we get each month from PunisherMax...ya ain't gonna find that here. Pick it up....give it a look...decide for yourself. I'm just lukewarm on the book.

Wolverine #2

Wow. For the first time, I really, REALLY enjoyed an Aaron issue of Wolverine! There were lots of little surprises thrown in (ok...maybe not that big of a surprise if you've been hearing certain rumors about characters coming back soon...like, Sabretooth), especially the ending.

Spoiler

Puck's back!!!!

Whether it was seeing Logan in Hell, or the new Wolverine exacting punishment on Logan's friends and allies, I was on the edge of my seat with each turn of the page. Great stuff! I loved seeing Yukio back, too!!!

Taskmaster #2

I still don't know how well I like the Memento-ish treatment of the Taskmaster; but, you can't deny that this book is just downright entertaining....and funny! The end wasn't that big of a surprise for me. I kind of thought that she'd end up being an agent of somebody. What did surprise me is how much I loved Don Of The Dead. Dude was hilarious! Kind of like how I used to enjoy Deadpool, before he was overused.

Uncanny X-Force #1

Well, I guess we can consider this book another Deadpool title. It's a team book, but he did play a pretty prominent role in the first issue. Thing is, I found him much more like the original 'Pool than all the crap that currently comes out. Also, this team does seem to gel...much better than the previous version of X-Force. It seems that Remender is going to flush out some characterization in these people, as it will be more than just an action book. (I felt I got to know Angel/Archangel's character much better in this single issue than all the previous issues of X-Force that came before.)

Good start. I'm surprised to say it, but I'm looking forward to another issue.

 

[Dread]

Another week, another pile of comics. A bigger week than last, but still below my average cost amount; aided because 3 out of 5 of this week's slate were $2.99. Marvel has recently followed DC's lead in cutting prices, but only for new launches in 2011, and likely only of ongoing titles. It remains to be seen if there will be any across the board price cuts of series launched before 2011, or of mini's or one-shots. Marvel cited that strong digital sales are encouraging them to trim back some prices (and not DC's initiative to slash all prices to $2.99), but I have also noticed more ads from companies other than Marvel or Disney in their comics this month versus the rest of the year, when most ads were house ads. Ad revenue counts a big deal.

Marvel is also promoting "AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES", soon to debut on DISNEY XD. The Mini episodes so far have been excellent overall.

One last ad tidbit; the back covers of many Marvel books have a Mazda ad that implies their car is cool enough to match Spider-Man's "fun" as well as Peter Parker's responsibility. The top of the ad has Spidey capturing Dr. Octopus. The bottom? Looking like he is coming from a grocery store with MJ. The copyright only mentions Spidey and Ock, but c'mon, how many other buxom red-heads would Peter do grocery shopping with (the art is by Todd Nauck, I believe)? What does this say to me? That while Joe Quesada is giving week long lectures on CBR about how the Parker marriage was a demon to be exorcised and the franchise is better for it, ad executives who live in the REAL WORLD and who have to sell things to REAL PEOPLE seem to be perfectly content with the idea of Peter being married, or at least being close enough to a significant other to have a merry time doing grocery shopping and to have a reliable car. Bottom line? It was poor writing and slap-dash editing, not a marriage, that was plaguing Spidey's titles and preventing new and old fans from returning. I simply found it amazing to see an ad that even implied Peter Parker as being a reliable family man given Marvel's insistence that no relationship he ever have, in the past, present, or future, go to any permanent or steady phase.

Full spoilers, and as one can see, rants, ahoy.

Dread's Bought/Thought for 10/6/10:

AVENGERS ACADEMY #5: Yes, it really was only two weeks ago since issue four. Jorge Molina, who drew the last arc or two of AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE (the prequel title to this one), must have had enough lead in time that this issue could ship quickly. Mike McKone, who drew the cover, will return to regular art chores for the next issue. Given that he drew four issues and a few pages of ENTER THE HEROIC AGE, I am glad he didn't fall off schedule. Writer Christos Gage continues to knock this one out of the park; it was my Examiner Book Of The Week (I feel like a sportscaster every time I say that) and I genuinely believe it is the most consistently good Avengers book. Even SECRET AVENGERS has been far more "hit or miss" than this title has been to me. Jorge Molina may not have the rep that McKone has, but he provides fluid, solid work; especially alongside great inks by Hennessy and colors by Jeromy Cox. While not having the same pencils as McKone, Molina manages to be good at what he does without offering a style that is jarring alongside McKone's so the title retains that look. Remember when more fill in artists tried to do that?

As the cover implies, this is Striker's focus issue (and man, I bet Quicksilver wishes he'd move his foot a bit). Unlike the others, where a flashback occurs at the start of the issue and then the character's narration of the events continues, Gage switches things up a bit, which is wise to avoid getting predictable. Striker, or Brandon Sharpe, is up late at night and talking to one of Jocasta's many drone bodies that stand idle about the Infinite Mansion, to get things off his chest. We don't get his origin flashback until about the middle of the issue. The same talent that Gage had for juggling about a dozen or more Initiative cast members he displays here; while Striker is the focus of the issue, other characters get stuff to say and do as well, especially Veil. And while he's great with the established characters, he is even better with his own new ones. In the previous four issues, Striker seemed to be similar to Finesse; a snarky, overconfident jerk who seemed likely to become a villain. While he still may be all those things, this issue puts them in perspective. He's a victim of his environment, in particular an overly ambitious mother. And he still comes off as more sympathetic to me than Finesse did. Or is. Basically, Striker isn't evil, but he craves attention and wants to be an Avenger only for the fame. He's a complete creation of the media news cycle and the Internet, only he doesn't want 15 minutes of fame, he wants to be an icon. He also isn't a mutant, but his mother isn't saying much about his father.

I always do find it funny when Steve Rogers insists he's not super-powered. I know he isn't technically, but c'mon. He's knocked gods on their asses. Part of me does wonder how sparring sessions in which adult heroes clobber the entire squad of the kids effect their esteem. On the other hand, of course, he is the former Captain America, always there to give pointers and sign autographs. There was a moment where I thought that Striker, in his zeal for fame, was poking at how young heroes form a bit of a ghetto in the Marvel Universe; they can never replace the adults, for merchandise reasons, so they just pile up and usually can only go so far. At any rate, Striker is apparently the outcast of the group, the most obnoxious and the one who even Finesse and Veil don't get along with, until a night to a play turns into an attack from Whirlwind. The genie gets out of the bottle and Striker suddenly becomes the media-relations expert, telling the Academy to capitalize rather than be swept up by it. There's even a reference to the Mettle meme on 4Chan (which does exist). And he does redeem himself a bit by not taking advantage of Veil when her crush on Justice ends as one might expect.

It is very curious that Justice apparently doesn't mind at least getting to second base with someone while in his full, caped outfit. And one wonders if Ultron did or didn't hear everything Striker said. This series is a sequel to MIGHTY AVENGERS as well, and is working off well from it. I can imagine this issue is part of why Pym may reconsider calling himself Wasp. Overall, another excellent issue, and this is probably the best Avengers book I am reading right now (out of the two I do read). Can't wait for the next issue or where Gage & Co. take things, which is just as it should be.

CHAOS WAR #1: The start of Marvel's OTHER big "mini-event", at a time when SHADOWLAND is soon to enter it's penultimate act. To be fair, it is a lot smaller than SHADOWLAND; the only ongoing title it crosses into is INCREDIBLE HULK, and even adding up all the side one-shot's and mini's, it isn't even 20 issues long (19, about). This is also the swan song to Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente's time dealing with Hercules, and they want to wrap things up with both flash and substance. On hand for the art is Khoi Pham, fresh off MIGHTY AVENGERS and the opening artist for INCREDIBLE HERCULES, which is a good way to book-end things. Sunny Gho does colors and Thomas Palmer inks, and collectively the artwork is quite good. I still think I prefer Rodney Buchemi or Reilly Brown (or even Clayton Henry), but this is perfectly lovely art to have, especially for bizarre realms and godly stuff. Amatsu-Mikaboshi, the Japanese god of chaos and darkness, is now calling himself King Chaos (or the Chaos King, it gets switched back and forth), and wants to destroy all of reality so he is the only thing left by destroying every pantheon in the universe. Not even the demon Nightmare is safe!

Meanwhile, Hercules beams back into New York, but flush with all of the omnipotent power that Amadeus Cho had gained to restore him to this plane of existence. Unfortunately, while Hercules may be godly enough to survive having it, he's still got all the sense of, well, a loudmouth lout. His first attempt to rally Earth's heroes to him causes a lot of destruction and has them all mobilize...against HIM. Things get no better when the godly Pantheon show up. Fortunately, Thor and Cho are there to knock and talk, respectively, some sense into him. The second time is the charm, but will Hercules simply lead them into slaughter? Since when do any major characters die in a second tier book? Featured teams include all three rosters of the Avengers, the Young Avengers, the new Black Panther, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and the Agents of Atlas. Given how their back-up strip ran with INCREDIBLE HERCULES material, I wasn't stunned to see them there. I actually like seeing them. I liked the little bit where Archangel was offering advice to Cyclops about Hercules, which makes sense as he'd know him best. A tad surprised Ghost Rider didn't show up too, given their Champions connections. Unlike Kingpin, I CAN buy Hercules summoning him like a Pokemon (as he did with the other heroes).

This was really a "gathering of the troops" issue, and I imagine the next will be similar as the God-Squad will be re-assembled; likely because Hercules doesn't want to risk the lives of mortals (and Cho will insist). While there isn't as much humor as in the PRINCE OF POWER series, this event doesn't take itself nearly as seriously as SHADOWLAND or SIEGE or even THANOS IMPERATIVE. There are the trademark amusing sound effects, and comedic moments. When Hercules starts to throw a power tantrum in the streets of NYC, random citizens basically shout at him and tell him to knock it off (among other things). Thor's bit where he knocks some sense into Herc is both amusing and effective (and a bit bad ass). And of course there is the always reliable banter from Cho. The lead story is actually 27 pages, not counting the 8 page back up strip drawn by Reilly Brown and a Twitter session. 35 pages of story and art for $3.99 isn't too shabby.

The back up strip chronicles Hercules' time in the Continuum universe, called "I WAS LEGEND", which is cute. Hercules fights monsters and, sadly, what seems to be a vision of Cho. I liked seeing a cameo by Gog, from REVENGE OF THE SINISTER SIX there. So that's where he wound up!

This wasn't quite the debut that, say, TASKMASTER #1 was, but it was a very good start to the next (and last) arc of INCREDIBLE HERCULES, and for that I am very pleased. I hope sales pick up for the final go and anticipate a terrific finale.

IRON MAN LEGACY #7: That Fred Van Lente fellow is sure getting around? This is one of three comics he's writing or co-writing this week! The more I read this, the more I wish he was on INVINCIBLE IRON MAN and not Fraction. It is very true that this is Iron Man's B-Title; it is set in the past and while it is trying to insert modern references and retcons into his old history, it really has little baring on his present, unlike INVINCIBLE, and thus it isn't "important". That is why sales have tailed off. The upside, though, is Van Lente writes stories that are more fun and more exciting. In this issue alone, the Pride appear, and Stark fights damn near the entire Serpent Society by himself. When was the last time Iron Man fought a super-villain in INVINCIBLE IRON MAN? Much less a team of them? In fewer than 14 issues? Yeah, I thought so. I'll tell you what will likely happen in the next issue of INVINCIBLE IRON MAN; Iron Man will fight drones, if we're lucky; if we are unlucky, Stark will merely survive their attack. He will talk. The Stane Women will talk. Pepper will say something pithy. And that will be it. Meanwhile, I can't as easily predict where this story is going, and it's a story in the past that "doesn't matter". Van Lente is SO ready for the big time, it isn't funny.

This is set during Stark's "poor and homeless" era, when Stane bought him out and dumped him in the street. He's tasked L.A.'s crime syndicate, the Pride (retconned from RUNAWAYS) to finish him off, for both of their sakes. They get rid of the Hangman and then sic the aforementioned Squad on Stark. Stark has been taken in by the sister of a fellow homeless man he saved (and who saved him), and figures out how to rebuild his company. Unfortunately, he's attacked at a scrap yard. Unfortunately for the bad guys, he's Tony Freaking Stark, who build his first armor out of scraps in a cave. Trapping him in a scrap yard is a lot like trapping Mario in a mushroom patch.

Amusingly, despite people seeing Stark wearing his breast-plate many times, none of them simply assume he is Iron Man; they merely assume he's just using his own tripped out gadgets that he's supplied to SHIELD and others for himself. That's clever without exposing his identity earlier than intended. The ending quip is a little awkward but still effective.

The art is supplied by Steve Kurth on pencils, Allen Martinez on inks and John Rauch on colors. The result is a style that is a bit like that sort of "photo-realistic" style, but not to the degree that Larroca now takes it in INVINCIBLE. I'm not going to lie; Van Lente wrote or co-wrote three comics this week, and this was the worst of them. That said, it was still more entertaining for me than the "important" Iron Man book has been for months. I certainly wish Van Lente got on more "important" books.

 

[Dread]

Part II of II:

TASKMASTER #2: The second issue in which writer Fred Van Lente (INCREDIBLE HERCULES, IRON MAN: LEGACY, SHADOWLAND: POWER MAN, CHAOS WAR) and artist Jefte Palo, and colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu handle the second mini series featuring long time Avengers villain (and occasional anti-hero) Taskmaster. One of Marvel’s most underrated writers, Van Lente is embellishing upon the past of this long time character that was kept in mystery for over twenty years. While not a mutant, the Taskmaster can perfectly copy any skill that he sees once, whether it is combat or culinary arts, so long as it isn’t a superhuman feat. He utilizes this skill as both a mercenary for hire as well as a trainer of minions for super-villains and their organizations; after all, someone has to show the expendable henchmen how to punch. Often working for evil maniacs (like Red Skull) or organizations (like HYDRA), the Taskmaster has also worked for the federal government, such as training John Walker (U.S. Agent) to replace Capt. America as well as being the head trainer of Camp Hammond during the era of the Initiative put in place by Tony Stark (and retained and exploited by Norman Osborn). While he has been capable of fighting many Avengers to standstills, his true name and life are a mystery, which is unraveling in this series. In many ways, the opportunity for Van Lente here is similar to the opportunity that Matt Fraction and Ed Brubaker had in IMMORTAL IRON FIST for that lead character.

In this series, a mysterious underworld kingpin (not THAT Kingpin) called “the Org” believes that the Taskmaster is actually working with Steve Rogers, and has put out a billion dollar bounty on his head as well as the head of Mercedes, a seemingly hapless waitress he’s unwittingly gotten involved with the mess. As such, villains from out of the woodwork are trying to take them out, and in the midst of that, Taskmaster is trying to figure out where he came from and how he met the Org in the first place, just to survive. It is a bit like “MOMENTO” with a skull mask, but it works quite effectively. Retained in this series is Van Lente’s trademark sense of wonky humor, which includes the threat of the month, one of Taskmaster’s old chums from south of the border called “The Don Of The Dead”. It leads to an adventure that involves thick Mexican accents, the origin of Taskmaster’s mask, a rock and roll performance, and a duel atop a speeding truck. But, is there more to Mercedes than meets the eye?

Palo’s artwork fits the style of this caper series perfectly, and I like his take on Taskmaster's mask especially. While this issue isn’t quite as hilarious as the first, it still is a damn good ride and an exceptional look on an oft forgotten character. I like how it all ties into SHIELD, and while there are a bit of retcons, they don't really trample over to much material. Very little about Taskmaster's past has been revealed in previous installments, and it isn't like he'd babble about his memory issues with just anyone. They also could have gotten worse lately, post-SIEGE. When he first showed up in Avengers, he was already in operation, so the stuff with Org could have happened before or between appearances. The Don Of The Dead was very funny.

I still wish this was an ongoing, and I wouldn't even mind the $4 price per issue for this one. Maybe the Taskmaster will show up in his other books, such as IRON MAN LEGACY or even POWER MAN & IRON FIST at some point. The latter might be interesting.

YOUNG ALLIES #5: Writer Sean McKeever and artist David Baldeon (as well as N. Bowling on inks and Chris Sotomayor on colors) wrap up their first arc of this ongoing series. Like with many Marvel launches of this year, it is an unknown franchise featuring new or low level characters that Marvel demanded $4 of the customer to try (and $2 of the retailer to stock per issue). While there was a reprint or two, sales on this series in August were far from strong. It sells worse than WEB OF SPIDER-MAN, which was canceled at issue twelve. It's only about 900 or so copies above ATLAS, which was also axed (at issue five, a decision that was at least partly creative). Both DOCTOR VOODOO and SWORD were axed at issue six with sales not much better than this. Fortunately, however, the series will endure. Issue seven has been solicited for December and it will seen an annual, written by Paul Tobin. Said annual will cross over with the annuals of AVENGERS ACADEMY and SPIDER-GIRL/WOMAN, and Tobin will be launching a SPIDER-GIRL series that stars the heroine formerly known as Arana from here. As a fan, I am glad that this series will endure. I see it as a good sister series to AVENGERS ACADEMY, and I like the characters. It offers a lot of action on average and some entertaining banter. Sales wise, though, this makes little sense from Marvel. By issue seven, sales may be so low that Marvel may be barely making a profit, and Marvel has canceled series that sold better. I can fathom some reasons. Marvel maybe doesn't want to encourage McKeever to run back to DC, where he spent several years, and thus is allowing him time here. It is possible Marvel believes that Tobin's SPIDER-GIRL will debut well and boost the sales of YOUNG ALLIES; that's a ludicrous belief that is in no way similar to what will happen, but it's possible Marvel editorial believes it. It is also possible that Marvel has some marching orders from Disney to try to give young characters a chance to catch on, for merchandise and media purposes. That, or editor Lauren Sankovitch is as tenacious about this as Jeff Parker's editor was for ATLAS. At any rate, I'll enjoy every issue that comes, and lap them up.

This issue does away with the "Bastards Of Evil" story. It turns out they all were mutated and brainwashed into becoming vicious super-human terrorists by Superior, who appears to be related to the Leader. While he never mentions his lineage, he looks like the Leader and, at age ten, is young enough to actually be his kid. Suffice it to say, not all of the Bastards like this information, and one of them rebels, and pays with his life. The others are either still loyal to Superior or caught up in the battle, which grows rather desperate. I mean, Firestar lost her wig.

The issue is chock full of good little moments. Firestar showcases her experience, and continues to bond with Gravity (the one closest to her age). Nomad proves that she may be injured, but never gives up. Gravity nearly goes off the deep end and murders two of them, but is encouraged to back off by Toro (who, ironically, now seems to embrace the "no killing" rule despite being trained as a soldier to kill). Baldeon's artwork is very good and there are many cinematic style moments where McKeever just allows the art to breathe. It's a final battle and reads very much like one.

Probably the only character I am less than thrilled with how they are developing is Arana, but that's not McKeever. That ball was started on it's roll in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN during THE GAUNTLET, and McKeever is just the path between that and Tobin's series. What Marvel has done is, in effect, strip away almost everything unique and distinct about Arana, including her code name, to make her more in line with elements and legacies from other characters she was in no way involved with. In this issue, she finally caves and accepts being called Spider-Girl, by Spider-Woman. I could argue it would seem odd that she was pressured by the presence of "a New Avenger" given that she did work alongside Ms. Marvel for a while, and Danvers didn't spend years as a Skrull prisoner. Spider-Girl of course is no relation to the MC2 series that has finally ended, but is, what, meant to encourage that small audience? She is wearing a costume that also isn't hers; it belongs to Julia Carpenter, who wore it first as Arachne. Poor Carpenter always has her costumes ripped off; both Spider-Man and Venom ripped off her first. And she lost her mystical spider-totem powers; while I was never a fan of spider-totem stuff, having her have genuine magic spider-powers wasn't a deal breaker; it only sucked when her stories revolved exclusively around that. Aside for the tattoo, they're all gone. All that remains of her is her real name and her ethnicity. It isn't as much of a "hammer a square peg into a round hole" as Bendis' transformation of Noh-Varr into "the Protector" (making what could have been a petulant cosmic anti-villain into a very stock Capt. Marvel wanna be), but it is close. It's similar to how DC has taken what was once original characters and stripped away all that just to attach them to legacies that they'd been only partially linked to; the result is stuff like Arsenal, who may as well be called Cat-Wielder now and team up with Dog-Wielder from HITMAN. If Marvel things SPIDER-GIRL, no matter how good a writer Tobin is (and I am sure he is quite good) will sell anywhere near the Top 30, they're more insane than Norman Osborn. I wouldn't mind all of that if Spider-Girl had any hint of Sofia's style beyond a grappling line (which every superhero has) - at least if her outfit had the colors of her last, which was red and white. Instead she's easily confused with some estranged relative of Carpenters that no one knew she had, when she's in no way related or connected to either Spider-Man or the Spider-Women besides name and JMS' totem story. It's the path that is being taken, and she only lasted a year on her own without it, so for all I know it could work. I just am not usually a fan of "fixing" characters by basically stripping away their unique stuff.

On the plus side, McKeever is utilizing what he inherited about Firestar (her cancer) quite well, and naturally he created Gravity, so if any writer has a right to handle him, it's him. Toro is growing on me and naturally he handles Nomad well. The one oddity is that the assembled teen heroes all resist the offer to mobilize officially by Nomad, despite the fact that by the title of the book and the nature of the series, they have to team up again more often. McKeever wants this series to not be the same as another team book where everyone has a decoder ring and a "crash pad" like the NEW WARRIORS, and part of me feels this is trying to be like the NW's of 2010 (with Firestar that link to the past). After all, we once got 20 issues of a NW series and the only "old" member of that team was Bandit, who never really joined the team. But part of me was thinking that last bit was a bit of obligation vs. likely reaction. Firestar spent most of her career with teams, whether the Hellions, the New Warriors, or the Avengers. Gravity used to lead his own team with the Initiative, and is chummy with the Fantastic Four. Nomad goes to school with Arana, and Toro is close to them both; the three of them team up the most often. One would think that, despite her desires, Firestar would get more of a sense of deje vu'. More to the point, they spent half of this arc divided over the same threat and irritated they didn't coordinate better from the start. Maybe they may not be an official "team", but they hopefully will keep in touch in some way. After all, maybe with cell's, TWITTER, and email, "decoder rings" can become a thing of the past.

I'm glad I'll be getting more of this series. Despite some quibbles it is very entertaining and does solid stuff with some neglected characters from this decade (or the 80's for one). Next issue promises Emma Frost and some Hellions back story, and seven the rest of Toro's subplot. Hopefully the series lasts long enough for McKeever to get where he is going.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Okay, so I got my comics and I was pleased with this week's supply

Uncanny X-Force 1 - This issue far exceeded my expectations to be honest. While I hate this X-Men kill thing right now, I did like X-Force due to the excellent writing and plots. But with Kyle and Yost leaving I was iffy. Remender and Opena were good on their Punisher run so I was a little more intrigued, but then I saw Deadpool was on the team and I'm so burnt out on him it's not funny.

However, as I read the issue the first thing that popped out at me was how fantastic Opena is at pencils here. His art fits this superbly. And the colorist blows it away, and that's somethign I seldom even notice. Next is Deadpool... yes, he's the Deadpool we're used to but maybe because it's a team setting I didn't mind him, in fact, I kinda enjoyed him. I even really liked the jokes he'd randomly tell while fighting.

Moving beyond that, in this one issue I feel like we get into the heads of every single character and why they're here and all that... something that Fraction couldn't do in Uncanny if his life depended upon it. Betsy and Warren have restarted their relationship between panels and she's there to help balance the Warren/Archangel personalities... which is turning into a bit of a split. Deadpool has been working for Warren for a year searching out Apocalypse since learning that Clan Akkaba is planning to bring him back. Fantomex is in it for the money and thrills and all that (I gather) and Wolverine believes that the X-Force goal is still needed for the betterment of other mutants and the world.

This team also works better because, while I hate the X-Men kill thing, this team that actually fits. Deadpool and Fantomex have both been skirting the heroic line and fit better here than they ever would in the X-Men. Archangel is established as a bit crazy by now so he fits. Betsy's the slightly odd fit but she has been shown to kill in the past and her connection to Warren makes sense. I still hate Wolverine's free killing spirit that he's develped but by now I'm used to it.

This is a team that fits... and Fantomex says it himself in the comics. This isn't the X-Men.

The team goes and tries to stop Apocalypse from being reborn and fails as he is reborn and vanishes. Turns out he's been reborn into the form of a young boy.

This was a great issue and I am actually very excited to see what comes next.

Brightest Day 11 - By far the best issue of this series thus far. The Aquaman stuff was interesting but it was the Firestorm story that absolutely had me captivated. Firestorm's dead counterpart, now called Deathstorm, is free and he's absorbed the minds of Professer Stein and Jason's dad. He's messing with Jason and Ronnie and hopes to get them so furious at each other that they basically explode and create a new Big Bang, destroying the universe. Also, with him having Stein in him he has pretty much complete control to create what he wants and he's awesome at it. In the end he goes to the White Lantern and corrupts it and soemthing speaks to him... Nekra perhaps, and he has to stop the Twelve who were resurrected and the person tells Firestorm to create an army, so Firestorm uses his powers to create the black lantern versions of those 12. Then in the end we see Martian Manhunter flying back to Mars and finds a huge forest there waiting for him in the sign of the Black Lantern Corps.

Interesting storyline and NOW I'm into this series. For the first time since this comic started I'm eager for the next issue.

Avengers Academy 5 - I almost didn't get this as I've been wanting to drop stuff... but now with some prices dropping I'm glad I did get it. It turned out to be a great issue! Dread covered it very well so now I'll just say that I like Striker and almost feel sorry for him. The tie-in here to Slott's Mighty Avengers with Jacosta and Ultron was great, and the fact that Striker and his mother set up the fight with Whirlwind to get the team noticed and in the papers was a great plot.

I've been so iffy on this book but it really is starting to grow on me. I definately like it better than Secret Avengers and Avengers... though not near as much as New Avengers. I'm still on board.

Echo 25 - Great issue that has the final confrontation between Julie and Cain. I won't give away much because frankly I don't think anyone other than Phaed and I are reading this, but it was a good issue that, as always, leaves you wanting more at the end. This is the ending of this arc and the next arc starting next issue is the final one before the series ends and man has this been a fantastic ride. I'm so glad I picked up the first three issues of this title when they came out on a whim. I love it!

Chaos War 1 - I really didn't want to pick this up because I dont read Herc and the last thing I need is another $4 comic event. However, Incredible Hulks ties in to it and I'm curious about the X-Men mini so I figured I'd give it a shot. Also, the only things Herc related that I've read are the Ares mini and the Secret Invasion tie-in so those are the main things leading into this so I figured... eh, I'll know what's going on.

I'm sorry to say this doesn't read well for new readers. It picks up wherever the previous issue of Herc or whatever left off it seems with Herc powerful. They fill you in as you go as to what's going on with Herc and Cho well enough but I still feel like I came in the last 20 minutes of the movie. Pham's art just doesnt do it for me, ever, so that wasnt much, but ultimately the story was well written and enjoyable. I hated seeing Nightmare die but I do like Mikoboshi or whatever his name is as a villain. I'll probably get the rest of the mini but outside of the Inc. Hulk issues and the X-Men tie-ins, I won't branch beyond that.

Best and Worst of the Wee:

Best - Uncanny X-Force: This was a real close one with Brightest Day for me (which is wierd in itself) but this book had a total package. The art and writer were great, coloring was amazing, the characters fitting, Deadpool wasn't overly obnoxious, ending left me curious and wanting more. It was just fantastic. I was sad when X-Force ended but there is a strong possibility that I'll like this generation better than the previous.

Worst - Chaos War: This was an easy choice for me. This title paled in comparison to everything else I read this week. But if this was the worst of the week that must mean I had a pretty awesome week to begin with because this wasn't bad at all.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Echo 25 - Great issue that has the final confrontation between Julie and Cain. I won't give away much because frankly I don't think anyone other than Phaed and I are reading this, but it was a good issue that, as always, leaves you wanting more at the end. This is the ending of this arc and the next arc starting next issue is the final one before the series ends and man has this been a fantastic ride. I'm so glad I picked up the first three issues of this title when they came out on a whim. I love it!

How in the heck do you get this book a week before me so often??!!?? Curses!

 

[JewishHobbit]

Pure awesomeness?

 

[hippie_hunter]

Uncanny X-Force was a hell of a lot better than I expected. At this rate, it has the potential to be the best X-book.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Most definately

And I like how in interviews Remender really seems to have a grasp on these characters, not just the cliches that usually comes with them. And he seems to really understand that whiel this team does kill, they are heroes and are particular in every death that is required... not hack n' slash like Kyle and Yost had them. At least, that's how it comes accross to me.

And I still can't get over Opena's art. It was just knock out in my opinion. He had a wierd Betsy face when she was being carried by Archangel but overall it was fantastic.

 

[Shockdingo]

And he seems to really understand that whiel this team does kill, they are heroes and are particular in every death that is required... not hack n' slash like Kyle and Yost had them. At least, that's how it comes accross to me.

Agreed on this point. IT didn't seem like they were enjoying it or on vacation. I loved the previous Kill Squad version of X-Force, but yea, this was surprisingly good! I'll be checking this out from now on. Also I initially was like "Blarrgh, 'Poccy again? But this actually could be rather interesting and involve shades of gray.

Spoiler

Tell me X-Force, can you kill a small child just because of his legacy and the potential to be a monster? Can you really?

Oh yea, and I got to say, I did enjoy Wade here as well. He was loopy without being portrayed as incompetent, though I hope in the future issues we do delve more into his head and get the old characterization that's been missing from Way's run for a while. I mean really, we never address post Cable and Deadpool 50; he had been striving to be a hero for ages and finally got respect! Even, he was invited to Ben Grimm's charity poker! But then after that we drop him into the crapper with no explanation? Bah! Seeing his thoughts on doing good through killing should be some interesting character development for him.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Yeah, Uncanny X-Force was a huge surprise. I was really dreading another book that Deadpool was going to be in; but, as JH said and I mentioned earlier, it really worked well. It felt like the old 'Pool was back, and his comments were more funny than usual.

Now, Dread...this is the time you can run out and check this title out! It's issue #1, and we have three good reviews already.

 

[Dread]

Yeah, Uncanny X-Force was a huge surprise. I was really dreading another book that Deadpool was going to be in; but, as JH said and I mentioned earlier, it really worked well. It felt like the old 'Pool was back, and his comments were more funny than usual.

Now, Dread...this is the time you can run out and check this title out! It's issue #1, and we have three good reviews already.

It's an X-Book. I've lost major interest in the X-Line and it'll be 7 months, tops, before I'm expected to buy installments of a crossover. I also don't care for Deadpool enough to buy him monthly, and I never liked Fantomex. I don't care for X-23 and if I wanted Wolverine, I'd read Jason Aaron's series. It usually helps to spark my interest in a team book, especially for $4, if I actually like about a third of the cast (which for most team books means about two members). The only one I might have some interest in is Archangel, and his current status quo is a bit ridiculous to be honest, and I've usually always found him too angst ridden for my liking. Ditto for Psylocke.

The X-Line to me is a bit like the Spider-Line; they're lines editorial have tinkered with the most over the past 15-20 years, and also the ones that remain the most of a mess to read over that span.

But above all, it's a team book full of characters I really don't care for at this moment. Why in the world would I throw four dollars at it?

If I bought X-Books merely for one character I still liked, I'd be chasing around whatever books Colossus was in, and usually being disappointed.

It takes more than positive reviews from others, I actually have to have some interest in the premise, the franchise or the starring characters within me.

 

[hippie_hunter]

X-23 is not on the team. Wolverine kicked her off at the end of Second Coming and along with Angel formed a new X-Force behind Cyclops' back.

And again, it's really, really good. A shock considering that X-Force was the weakest book of the X-books line

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Didn't people love X-Force back when it started, too? I wonder if this version will wind up like its predecessor as "the weakest book of the X-books line" in another year or so...